A Month for Thankfulness

Well, it is that time of year again, the time of year when it
becomes so very easy to forget that we've got it good. The
time of year when we forget that we wanted this, chose this, and
even fought for this. Finals are approaching.
Professors are preparing for the end of the semester, projects are
due, and the last round of tests before finals is upon us.
This is when many vet students, myself included, forget that we are
lucky! We are joining the greatest profession in the world,
and we are learning from some of the greatest clinicians in the
business! This is the time of year when we should be excited
by how much knowledge we have gained over the semester, not
terrified by the amount on the final. We should be thrilled
that we are one semester closer to being called "Doctor," not
thinking we are one semester closer to insanity! We begged
for this, clawed and kicked to get here, and now we are! I
know that since my classmates and I are three years in, it is easy
to forget the excitement we felt when we got that acceptance
letter, but every single one of us was jumping out of our skin! I
challenge every single one of you out there to remember that
feeling! For you students that are working towards vet
school, or any other goal you are trying to achieve, remember how
far you have come! Never forget what you have worked for, and never
ever forget to be thankful for all that you have come through and
learned. Every single person out there has faced struggles,
overcome hurdles, and fought to be where they are now; so don't
forget those struggles and fights when you think you want to give
up now, rather remember all you have overcome! These battles
ahead of us, they are just small challenges that will put us that
much closer to the ultimate goal, these obstacles are something to
be thankful for! I know, that sounds like the insanity
talking, but if you think about it, without obstacles we would
never appreciate anything we accomplish. Without challenges
what would we learn? Nothing, that's what, we wouldn't have
anything to fight for because there would be nothing opposing us,
and that takes away your opportunity to reach towards your
goals. So, my challenge to you this month, is to be thankful
for the projects, exams, papers or whatever adversity you are
facing. Go towards them with a passion and fire for your
dreams, and they will be nothing! If you always remember how
you felt when you started on that path to your dream, then you will
never get distracted by those little challenges between you and the
top of that mountain. Happy End of the Semester, my friends,
now go forth and conquer your dreams.